he succeeds leon panetta, who had served in the top pentagon job since july of 2011. white house officials conceded today it's unlikely the government will avoid those looming, automatic budget cuts. a spokesman said president obama will meet friday with congressional leaders, but there was no indication that any deal is in the works. tomorrow, senate democrats will try to bring up a stop-gap bill to delay the cuts, but republicans could block the measure. at the vatican, pope benedict the sixteenth gave an emotional farewell in his last general audience-- a day before his retirement becomes official. we have a report from james mates of "independent television news." >> reporter: a final ride on the popemobile into the crowds on st. peter's square. a last baby to kiss. there is no protocol on how to leave the office of pope because no living pope has done so for 600 years. but benedict xvi decided he was not going to go quietly. for ten days there have been rumors that he stood down not just because of ill health, but because of power struggles in the vatican. in his